Portuguese space and advanced technology group Omnidea is expanding its international footprint through the acquisition of Orbex’s UK manufacturing assets and intellectual property, establishing a new operational base in Forres, Scotland.
The investment strengthens Omnidea’s presence in the UK and expands its industrial and technological capabilities in the European space sector. The company plans to build progressively on the Scottish operation, including through the recruitment of additional employees as the business develops.
The former Orbex manufacturing facility will become Omnidea’s UK centre for structures development and fabrication and a hub for flight and ground-system electronics. These capabilities will complement the group’s existing expertise in propulsion, fluid systems and other space technologies.
The expansion builds on an existing relationship with Orbex through the European Space Agency’s European Launcher Challenge (ELC). Omnidea has also been developing its own suborbital launcher programme with ESA for the past four years.
Founded in Portugal, Omnidea has more than 20 years of experience in the European space sector and operates across Europe and Australia. Its international activities cover propulsion and launcher systems, space-qualified fluid-control systems, satellite technologies and advanced engineering.
Sérgio da Cunha Oliveira, Vice President of Omnidea, who will lead the company’s UK operations, said the acquisition would enable the group to combine its existing capabilities with the expertise and skilled workforce established in Scotland.
The company said the investment would support the development of a sustainable UK operation while creating opportunities to apply its technologies and engineering capabilities to other advanced technology markets.
The acquisition forms part of Omnidea’s international expansion strategy and reinforces Portugal’s position as a base for companies developing and commercialising advanced technologies in international markets.
Source: The Northern Times
